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16:20 Punchestown (IRE)

Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)

  • 5 Runners
  • Distance: 2m
  • Going: Soft to Heavy (Soft in places)
  • Surface: Turf
  • €80,000 added
  • Winner: €49,600
  • 2nd: €15,200
  • 3rd: €7,200
  • 4th: €2,400
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 4m 5.50s
  • Off Time: 16:20:14
  • 5 Ran
1
Silk - EMERALD GREEN & ORANGE hooped, WHITE cap
5/2
  • Form 012011
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 143

led, headed from 3rd, led again from 4 out, ridden and headed again after 2 out, plenty to do entering straight, stayed on well from last to regain lead close home

2
Silk - ROYAL BLUE & WHITE STRIPES, white sleeves, striped cap
33/1
  • Form 136445
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 128

prominent, led from 3rd, slight mistake 5th, headed from 4 out, no impression when mistake 2 out, soon weakened to last, eased from last

3
Silk - MAROON, white star & armlet, maroon cap, white star
9/1
  • Form 241106
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 140

held up in last slightly off pace, mistake 6th and soon under pressure, behind in last from 3 out, went moderate 4th from 2 out, no extra

4
Silk - Purple, orange seams, orange star on cap
16/1
  • Form 5120
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 136

tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd and ridden 2 out, no impression on leaders before last

5
Silk - MAROON, white star & armlet, maroon cap, white star

Trifolium (FR)

42 p DCD
4/7
  • Form 311213
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 146

tracked leaders in 3rd, travelling well when slight mistake 2 out, led and soon ridden clear, strongly pressed from last, headed and no extra close home

In depth

Verdict

Willie Mullins saddles three of the five entries but they will probably occupy the last three places in the betting behind the likely 1-2 TRIFOLIUM and Alderwood. The latter has made great strides since being beaten a length by today's rival Laganbank at Listowel and beat a huge field in the County Hurdle before landing a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse where he had Midnight Game a long way behind. AP McCoy looks certain to make this a stiff test from the front but that should suit Trifolium, who landed a Grade 2 here in February by 9l from Simenon before a cracking run in the Supreme Novices' where he might have finished even closer but for slipping on the bend.

Formwatch

Alderwood (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Made all, ridden 2 out, strongly pressed from last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs beating Allure Of Illusion (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.

Laganbank (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Waited with, 8th approaching 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure without threatening from between last 2, 5th of 12, 8l behind Jenari (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd.

Midnight Game 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd after 3 out, ridden and no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened, 6th of 8, 18l behind Alderwood (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs.

Simenon (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 19, 33l behind Cinders And Ashes (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.

Trifolium (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway on outside 3 out, effort and every chance approaching last, soon ridden, chased winner flat, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Cinders And Ashes (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.